Skip Bayless fired back at the bombshell lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery against his former hairdresser, In Touch can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Skip, 73, and his legal team denied all allegations in the lawsuit brought by Noushin Faraji.
His motion argued, “No act or omission on the part of Defendant was a substantial factor in causing any damages to [Noushin].”
Further, his lawyer argued none of Skip’s acts were “in bad faith, spiteful, malicious or otherwise motivated by any ill-will or illegal intent. Instead, Defendant’s acts were at all relevant times privileged, non-discriminatory, and/or non-retaliatory and taken in accordance with his rights accorded by law.”
The lawyer also claimed that Noushin is not entitled to damages to the extent that any purported emotional distress or pain and suffering damages allegedly suffered by Noushin was caused by “pre-existing psychological or medical conditions.”
Skip also argued that the hairdresser consented, “by words or consent, to the conduct alleged in the complaint.” He asked that the entire lawsuit be thrown out and the hairdresser pay his legal fees.
Back in January, hairdresser Noushin filed a lawsuit against Fox Sports, Skip and fellow sports columnist, Joy Taylor, who worked on Skip’s show Undisputed. In the lawsuit, Noushin claimed Skip repeatedly asked her for sex and even offered her $1.5 million to sleep with him.
“Mr. Bayless then warned that he doesn’t want her to lose her job over this,” the lawsuit read.
The lawsuit read, “Mr. Bayless began finding excuses to touch Ms. Faraji. He would give her lingering hugs after each haircut, putting his body against her own, pressing against her breasts. He then began to kiss her on her cheeks. Ms. Faraji was uncomfortable by the physical contact and would make excuses to leave right after the haircuts.”
“In approximately summer 2017, while Ms. Faraji was giving Mr. Bayless a haircut, he told her that she was ‘voluptuous.’ As English is her second language and she was not familiar with the word, Ms. Faraji asked what that meant. Mr. Bayless seemed amused and told her to ‘figure it out.’ Ms. Faraji later asked a coworker what the word meant and was mortified. Mr. Bayless then started being more aggressive and direct in his advances,” the suit read. Her lawyer explained, “Ms. Faraji was terrified and then turned to her coworker to discuss the situation.
The two decided that because Mr. Bayless was a powerful man and Fox protected powerful men, it would only be to her detriment to report the issue. The two decided that Ms. Faraji needed to be kind towards Mr. Bayless or risk her job.”
The hairdresser claimed in July 2021 she developed issues with her left ovary and was advised it could be cancer.
Her lawyer said, “With a fourth biopsy scheduled, she explained her situation to Mr. Bayless, hoping that he would take pity on her and cease his advances. Instead, Mr. Bayless told her that he wanted to be with her. Ms. Faraji panicked and began rambling that there were cameras everywhere, that she has a child, and that she does not want him. Mr. Bayless then grabbed her hands, began kissing them, and offered her $1.5 million to have sex. Ms. Faraji made an excuse to leave.”
She said he was so jealous that he once falsely accused her of sleeping with his cohost Shannon Sharpe. The hairdresser claims she was subjected to racial discrimination at Fox and eventually was let go.
Her lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
Skip left Fox Sports in 2024 and now hosts a weekly podcast. Fox spokesperson released a statement about the lawsuit. The rep said, “We take these allegations seriously and have no further comment at this time given this pending litigation.”
